MLL PLAYERS TO PLAY FOR US TEAM AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

[Gregg Pathiakis]

http://www.bostoncannons.com/0,5913,1_841_0_67743,00.html

Major League Lacrosse announced that all current MLL players and those drafted into the MLL in 2005 and 2006 are eligible to tryout, be selected and participate in the 2006 World Championship. The MLL was firmly determined to make available to its players the opportunity to represent the United States of America at the World Championship. Working with US Lacrosse, the MLL took several steps to ensure that all interested MLL players have the opportunity to play for the United States team.

'We’re thrilled that our players have the honor of representing the United States of America at the World Games,” said MLL Founder Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global. “The chance to play for your country is something every athlete dreams about. The MLL has the best players in the world and we are so proud that they have the opportunity to showcase their world-class skills while representing the best country in the world.”

The MLL made several adjustments to its planned 2005 and 2006 schedules to accommodate those players wishing to tryout for the US team, and those players that will eventually participate in the World Championship.

“We wanted to go the extra mile for our players to ensure they had the chance to play for the US Team at the World Championship,” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. “Logistically speaking, this move will make scheduling and the business of Major League Lacrosse more of a challenge. However, we are willing to sacrifice in an effort to do everything in our power to afford our players this wonderful and important opportunity.”

For those players selected to play on the US Team, the MLL made several accommodations to ensure they can keep their commitment both to US Lacrosse and the MLL. The bulk of that commitment will be from July 9, 2006 through July 22, 2006.

During that time period, all US Team members will participate solely in US Team practices, games, etc.

In an effort to continue to provide MLL fans with the best lacrosse in the world, the league has agreed that each team will play just once during that time period, meaning US Team members will only be absent from their MLL teams for one regular season game.

“We want to give our players every opportunity to represent their country, while maintaining the MLL’s standard as the premier outdoor lacrosse league in the world,” said Gross. “We have committed to our fans to provide the best lacrosse action anywhere. That is why we decided to both accommodate the players by allowing them to play for the US Team, as well as adjust our schedule to minimize the amount of MLL games they will miss, keeping our commitment to our fans.”

Click here for US Lacrosse Press Release and Tryout Information:
http://www.lacrosse.org/news/2005/mnatlteam_tryout06.phtml